Hemant becomes J'khand CM, heads 9th govt

The tribal leader was administered oath of office and secrecy by governor Syed Ahmed at Birsa Mandap in Raj Bhavan

JMM leader Hemant Soren, son of party chief Shibu Soren, was today sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

The tribal leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Syed Ahmed at the Birsa Mandap situated in the premises of Raj Bhavan.

Rajendra Prasad Singh and Annapurna Devi, Legislature Party leaders of the Congress and the RJD respectively, were also sworn in as ministers.

After constitution of Jharkhand in 2000, the Congress for the first time is participating in a coalition government in Jharkhand.

Hemant Soren, who heads the ninth ministry in less than 13 years, became the fifth tribal CM after Babulal Marandi (once), Arjun Munda (thrice), Shibu Soren (thrice) and Madhu Koda (once) since the state was created on November 15, 2000.   

Earlier, the Governor invited Soren for the swearing-in ceremony late last night after Raj Bhavan received official communication about the Presidential assent on the cabinet recommendation for revocation of central rule in the state.

The JMM-LP leader had staked claim on July 9 for formation of a government in alliance with Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, smaller parties and independent MLAs. JMM had earlier withdrawn support from the BJP-led Arjun Munda government on January 8 this year. The central rule was imposed on January 18 after the JMM withdrew support to the BJP-led government.

The Governor has asked Soren to secure the trust vote from the floor of the House on Tuesday.

JMM leaders today claimed that in the 82-member Assembly their party has 18 sitting MLA’s and they have received support from its coalition partners – Congress and  RJD (both parties joined the ministry).

Besides, 6 independent MLA have also pledged support to the coalition.

RJD leaders claimed that the chief minister would win the crucial trust vote in the Assembly on Tuesday.

However, political observers said in Jharkhand, the most powerful among the politicians are the Independent MLAs who exert their power in installing and toppling of a government at their will. In this process, coalition government in the state has collapsed several times save and except the Arjun Munda-led coalition BJP government that survived for a long period.

Observers also shared apprehension over the Supreme Court’s verdict on Thursday, which might be a deciding factor for the future of the MLAs. Several sitting MLAs of several political parties and Independents are facing trials in corruption and disproportionate of assets cases by  the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.

Vigilance court of R K Sinha on July 11 issued a warrant to arrest the Shikaripara MLA Nalin Soren, who has been evading arrest after investigations were launched against him in the infamous seed scam of 2009, while he was a minister between 2006-08 in the government of Madhu Koda.

Another sitting MLA Sita Soren’s criminal case is being investigated by the CBI in connection with the 2012 Rajya Sabha cash stash case. The investigating agency, (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against her under Section  13 (2) and 13 (1) (D) of the Preventive of  Corruption Act 1988 and  120 E and 171 E of IPC. The MLA has been evading arrest since a warrant of arrest was issued against her last month.

Meanwhile, in protest against the oath-taking day of Hemant Soren as chief minister, – BJP, JVM and CPI (ML) have been observing the day as Dhikkar Diwas (Shame Day), Kala Diwas (Black Day) and Loktantra Haran Diwas (Abduction of Democracy Day) respectively.